The Freedom Fighter - Kr
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Vol. 5 No. 3 January 2018 ISSN: 2321-788X UGC Approval No: 43960 Impact Factor: 2.114 THE FREEDOM FIGHTER - KR. KALYANARAMAN Article Particulars: Received: 06.01.2018 Accepted: 11.01.2018 Published: 20.01.2018 Dr.A.ASHOK KUMAR., MA., M.Phil., M.Ed., Ph.D., Assistant Professor in Humanities Sathya College of Arts and Science Kilvisharam Melvisharam Post Walaja Thaluk, Vellore District, Tamil Nadu, India Abstract The present-day Ranipet town was founded by Nawab Sadathullah Khan around 1771 in honour of the young queen of Desingu. The Nawab pressed Desingu to pay arrears of tribute but he refused to pay. Thus the stage was set for the confrontation which ended in the tragic death of the youthful Raja. The twenty two years old Raja Desingu fought with a rare gallantry that moved his friends and fees alike. Desingu’s wife too gave up her life as a proud Rajput lady would do, to follow her fallen husband. These incidents so moved Sadathullah Khan that he named the present day Ranipet in honour of the queen of Desingu. Keywords: civil, Congress, Committee, Presidency, Arcot, Cripps Mission Kalyanaraman was a defender of righteousness, a front rank fighter in the freedom struggle, a supporter of the downtrodden and a very bold champion of the neglected. He can be seen playing a very important role in the freedom struggle, and acting as a gallant volunteer in civil disobedience movement. One of the leading lights of patriotism, Kalyanaraman was born on 7th May 1907 in a village called Kuttiam, located 24 km from the town of Arcot, in Vellore district. His father’s name was Ramanatha Iyer and that of his mother Mangamma. Kalyanaraman had two brothers one elder to him and the other younger Ramanatha Iyer migrated to Ranipet with his family where he served as an advocate’s clerk. Kalyanaraman had his primary education at Arni, Ranipet and Walajapet. Between 1917 and 1918 he studied in Tiruvannamalai. He had to discontinue studies as his father died suddenly. From 1918 to 1928 he studied in the Vedic Patshalas at Kancheepuram and Thirukazhukundram. He worked as a primary school teacher for eight months. He was transferred to four different places-Arcot, Kaniyanur, Pennagaram and Macheri-because he was a sympathizer of the Indian national Congress party. In 1929 he joined the teacher’s training course at Ranipet and finished the course successfully in 1931. He was a born leader and wherever he went leaderships was thrust upon him by his colleagues. Kalyanaraman began taking active part in political affairs. Meanwhile he got married and had three children. Gandhiji was arrested on May 6, 1930. Then followed agitations and meetings in many places in the North Arcot district In spite of the imposition of ban order the political activities continued Arrack and toddy shop were picketed at many places like Gudiyattam, Vellore, Arni, Walajapet, Polur, Sholigur, by the torch bearers of freedom movement. In all these Kalyanaraman stood at the forefront. In 1931 Gandhiji led Indians in an incessant struggle demanding full freedom. A dawn to desk curfew was clamped down throughout the length and breadth of India. In spite of the upper handedness, of the police, Kalyanaraman who was then a student in the Teacher’s Training school Ranipet (1929-31) hoisted the tricolour at Ranipet. He was immediately arrested on the spot by the police but let off with a warning as he was a student. The congress working committee authorized Mahatma Gandhi to launch civil disobedience movement. Gandhiji in pursuance of this decision, set out from his Sabarmathi Asharam, with near about seventy volunteers, on 12th March 1930 to offer civil disobedience. In those days, permission had to be obtained from the government for making salt. Gandhiji reached Dandi, a coastal village in Gujarat and made salt without obtaining permission from the government. 46 Shanlax International Journal of Arts, Science and Humanities Vol. 5 No. 3 January 2018 ISSN: 2321-788X UGC Approval No: 43960 Impact Factor: 2.114 In Madras Presidency, the Congress Committee nominated Rajagopal Achari, who was then the president of the Provincial Congress Committee, and K Santhanam to lead the salt satyagraha. The executive committee of the provincial congress met at Vellore, the district headquarters of the North Arcot district, and resolved to start salt satyagraha at Vedaranian in Thanjavur district. Meetings were held. Training camps for satyagraheer were conducted and processions were taken to mobilize public support. Training camp was held at Vellore, Arcot, Tanjore, Madras (Chennai) Chengelpet and Ranipet.It was under the leadership of Kalyanaraman that camps were started and held. There were forty satyagraheers. He was the guide for all satyagraheers in the North Arcot district. The British government was on the look out to thwart all plans of the freedom fighters. It started arresting all leaders and putting them behind bars. Rajaji along with other satiyagraheers was arrested and given one year’s imprisonment. The camp at Vedarnayans was forcibly disbanded by the police. Yet these drastic steps did not deter freedom fighters from carrying their fight. The movement was intensified. During 1932 civil disobedience movement was resumed and hundred were imprisoned. In spite of many repressive measures of the government the civil disobedience movement was carried out vehemently. Kalyanaraman was moved to the core. He decided to get totally involved. He resigned his job as a teacher and plunged deep into the freedom struggle. Kalyanaraman went round addressing public meetings and making the people realize the importance of freedom. He was arrested and sent to jail for a year. He was lodged in Vellore Central jail. He hailed from a very orthodox Brahmin family. But after becoming a freedom fighter he began leading a life which was against all orthodoxy. He realized and began preaching equality among men. He became the deadliest enemy of untouchability. The British government anticipated cooperation of the Indian National Congress in its war efforts. The congress demanded a commitment from the government as regards to freedom, which was not forthcoming. So the congress launched direct action as directed by Gandhiji. The provincial governments were dissolved and all joined in antiwar activities. Consequently the whole nation stood as one to support sathiyagraha. Gandhiji advised the volunteers to carry on the struggle without caring for hardships and difficulties. The Indians who had time and again exhibited their hatred to the activities of the British and had been fighting against its imperialism offered their unstinted support to the present move of Gandhiji. Thousand both from rural and urban areas, came forward. They were arrested and put in prisons. Many hundreds of volunteers’ were left out as there were no jails to accommodate them. During this phase of agitation Kalyanaraman offered satyagraha at Ranipet for which he was arrested. He was sentenced to jail for nine months. In addition he was fined Rs 250/- He underwent this jail sentence at Tirupathur, Bellary and Alipore. Cripps Mission failed. The Congress was thinking of starting a new struggle. Meanwhile to save the situation and find a solution Rajaji submitted a proposal before the Congress. He suggested that the congress could agree to Muslim league’s demand of Pakistan. In return the league would extend cooperation in setting up of a national government. He also suggested that the popular government in Madras which had been dissolved might be made functional, in view of the growing threat of a Japanese invasion of the east coast of India. These proposals were accepted by Madras Provincial Congress Committee but out right rejected by the national Congress working committee. Rajaji resigned from all positions in Congress including his membership of the Madras legislative assembly, so as to free himself from all work for carrying his campaign. At this critical juncture it was Kalyanaraman who stood by Rajaji through thick and thin. On 8th August 1942 the Congress working committee passed the Quit India resolution. It was passed in Bombay and Gandhiji gave the slogan Do or Die, for this agitation. The government too was ready to meet any situation arising out of this satyagraha. On 9th August all leaders of the Congress party were arrested. The Congress was declared an illegal body. Unfortunately the Congress became leaderless for a few days with all leaders behind bars. Lack of leadership and non-systematic organization resulted in large scale anarchy in many parts of the country. Luckily in North Arcot district there was no outbreak of any kind. Kamaraj who arrived at Arakkonam from Bombay dashed to the residence of Kalyanaraman to avoid being arrested by the police. Kalyanaraman took Kamaraj to a secure cottage of one of his 47 Shanlax International Journal of Arts, Science and Humanities Vol. 5 No. 3 January 2018 ISSN: 2321-788X UGC Approval No: 43960 Impact Factor: 2.114 tanner friend. On the same day Kalyanaraman arranged for a taxi and reached Kaniyambadi. From there he and Kamaraj went to Thanjavur by train. Somehow Kamaraj escaped detection. Both of them reached Thanjavur and went to the house of the local leader TRV Narayainsami. After meeting all the local leader they left for Tiruchi and arrived there in the evening. They met the local leaders and went to Madurai. Kalyanaraman went up to Tuticorin and then returned to Ranipet. Police were waiting for his arrival. They immediately arrested him. He was kept in Walajapet sub jail and then moved to Vellore central jail from where he was taken to Thanjavur. Subsequently he was given a jail sentence for eighteen and a half months. Right from the year 1930 Kalyanaraman participated in all freedom struggle movements and spent more than four years behind bars at Cannaanore, Vellore, Alipore and Thanjavur.